http://www.oregon.gov/odot

Oregon Department of Transportation

engineering intern

June 2019 - September 2020 • La Grande, OR

What I liked

The crew I worked with has been incredibly helpful and the job has presented a variety of tasks and projects. I had some long days and some very long weeks throughout the summer that kept me busy.

What I wish was different

I wish I went in with more confidence. I always second guessed what I was doing and what I knew. I was always able to ask for help.

Advice

The only way to learn is by doing. I didn't know a lot at the beginning and I had to ask a lot of questions. There is still a lot I don't know but I like to say "at least now I know what questions to ask".
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Construction Intern

June - September 2019 • Ontario, OR

What I liked

I loved getting to see a wide variety of construction activities and learn from/work with a ton of different people who each had their own advice and experiences.

What I wish was different

I wish that there had more consistency in the amount of work (or at least I wish it had been made clearer that there wasn't a lot of consistency in the amount of work). Some days, there wasn't enough work to keep myself (or anybody else) busy at the desk and other times I would work 14+ hour days and be busy that entire time. That being said, the job was in construction and that is the nature of the work.

Advice

Be prepared to work a lot of hours. Also, it is very much a job where you will only learn as much as you put into it, so ask a lot of questions
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Survey Technician

June - December 2018 • Salem, OR

What I liked

Travel, industry experience, coworkers

What I wish was different

More upfront communication about scheduling expectations

Advice

Absolutely fantastic
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Survey Intern

June - September 2018 • White City, OR

What I liked

A great experience. ODOT provided a huge amount of experience that will greatly aid in my career. The formal surveying program that ODOT set up aimed to let me experience everything that they do. I also very much enjoyed working 10 hour days and having Friday off.

What I wish was different

Sometimes job security does more harm than good. The public's view of government worker is generally unfounded, but there is still a lot of inefficiency and some laziness within the public workforce.

Advice

Put yourself out there. Be known. Employers want to see ambition in the people they hire, especially in interns.
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